Norann Oleson, Editorial Director of Food Gardening Network

If you could grow just one herb in your garden, thyme would have to be at the top of the list. Thyme brings out the best in just about every food in your kitchen, plus it has many health benefits you can enjoy.

Thyme is a perennial herb that is easy to grow and lasts for years in your garden when cared for properly. And because there are so many varieties of thyme, I know you’ll want to grow more than just one type.

Thyme is hardy, easy to harvest, and dries beautifully, retaining its flavor so you can benefit from your crop year-round. That’s why we’ve prepared this all-in-one guide for you about growing, harvesting, and eating—with some easy-to-prepare and tasty recipes—your own home-grown thyme.

In this collection’s Introduction, you’ll first learn some history and basics about thyme—to get you ready for growing your own. Then, in the Feature Articles, you’ll get specifics about thyme gardening—from types of plants and soil preparation to watering, weeding, and controlling and preventing disease.

If you’re already an advanced herb and food gardener, some of this may be refresher content for you. But stick with it, because you’re certain to learn something new, especially when it comes to the history of thyme and the recipes!

In Plant Profiles, you’ll learn about six popular varieties of thyme, so you’ll have specific details about the characteristics and best uses for particular varieties of thyme.

While there are about 300 varieties of thyme, we’ve chosen these six thyme plants to profile because they are some of the most commonly grown. If you’d like us to include another thyme variety that appeals to you, please let me know by commenting below.

We are, after all, a network of food gardeners—for and by fellow food gardeners—who want to enjoy all the benefits of growing our own delicious food at home!

One of the things that makes Food Gardening Network unique is the assortment of super easy and delicious Recipes, so that you can enjoy the fruits of your gardening labor. Thyme is no exception!

These thyme recipes include uses for vegetables, poultry, soup, baked goods—even tea! You will be sure to delight everyone at your table when you prepare any of these recipes, and these dishes will become staples in your household. Enjoy your thyme harvest with these tasty recipes, and your family and friends will appreciate all your thyme gardening efforts!

Next, you’ll learn Nutrition Facts about Thyme to find out exactly which nutrients are found in thyme—and to what degree—and the most common compounds. Home Remedies & Health Benefits of Thyme will help you learn about how key nutrients in thyme can help prevent some diseases, such as heart disease and some forms of cancer. You’ll also learn all about other benefits and uses for thyme, besides just enjoying its garden-fresh deliciousness.

To help you explore the fragrant world of thyme even further, we’ve included a Resources section that is complementary to this collection. We aim to give you everything you need to grow, harvest, and eat aromatic thyme, but feel free to take a deeper dive into these additional resources by visiting the links provided.

Finally, you’ll find a brief Glossary at the end of this collection in case you need a fuller explanation of any key terms and concepts.

Now, it’s about time you learned all about thyme!